Bumblebees Community Nursery

Bumblebees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Bumblebees

Unique Reference Number EY302715 Inspection date 18 January 2006 Inspector Victoria Gail Halliwell

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Bumblebees

Setting Address St. Paul's C of E Primary School, Warrington Road, Wigan, Lancashire, WN3 6SB Telephone number 07771 797 134

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E-mail

Registered person Emma Louise Rigby and Rachel Curran Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care

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E-mail

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Bumblebees Out of School Club provides after school care from the school hall, before school care from a designated school classroom and holiday care from the church hall. The club also have use of the school playground. A maximum of 16 children aged from 3 to under 8 years old may attend the club at any one time, and places are also offered to children over the age of 8 years old. The club is open each weekday from 07.30 until 08.50, and again from 15.15 until 18.00 during school term-times. Holiday care is provided from 08.00 until 18.00 during school holidays. There are currently 12 children on-roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The setting employs two staff who hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is satisfactorily promoted by staff who implement appropriate hygiene practices in relation to food handling and preparation. Children are learning the importance of good hygiene through established daily practices, such as washing their hands before snacks and after toileting. Exclusion policies are in place which help to prevent the spread of infection and maintain children's good health. Staff are familiar with procedures which enable them to administer medication appropriately to meet children's individual health needs. However, they do not have a valid first aid certificate which includes training in first aid for infants and young children. Snack time is valued as a social occasion. Children play an active role, making choices about the snacks that they eat and enjoy serving themselves from a 'buffet' style selection. For example, crackers and a choice of topping, such as ham, butter,

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Helping children to be healthy

sliced cucumber and chocolate spread are provided, followed by jelly for dessert. Children's views are routinely sought during meetings each term. Menus are adapted to take account of their individual preferences and ensure that children enjoy their food. Drinks are routinely served with snacks and children are aware that they may request additional drinks at any time throughout the session. During the summer months children have regular opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air and sunlight which contributes to a healthy lifestyle. During the winter months children engage in sports activities, such as indoor hockey or play games, such as twister, which promote their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are warmly greeted by a member of staff as they are collected from their classrooms. They are familiar with the routine and enter the school hall confidently. The room is bright and generally well maintained. School displays are visually stimulating and the practice of sitting socially with staff to eat their snack makes children feel welcome. Storage facilities within the school are very limited which impacts significantly on the range of activities the children experience. Little consideration is given to the comfort of children who may wish to rest and relax after a day at school. Systems for identifying potential hazards are satisfactory and staff have taken appropriate measures so that children can move around safely. Children are aware of the boundaries within the setting and help keep themselves safe. For example, they know they must not climb on the school equipment and must notify a member of staff

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

before going to the toilet, as they have to leave the room.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children's welfare is satisfactorily safeguarded by the staff who have a basic understanding of child protection issues. They are aware of the types of abuse and can identify some possible signs and symptoms. They have systems in place to record incidents and procedures to follow to protect children from possible harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are content and settled in the club's quiet and informal environment. They enter the setting confidently and are familiar with the daily routines. Children have formed good relationships with the staff, who encourage them to express their thoughts and opinions through discussion, questionnaires and children's meetings. As a result, changes have been made to the children's menus and outings have been organised. The number of children in attendance is very limited so that they have good opportunities to talk to staff about their experiences at school and their plans for the evening. Staff listen with interest and promote a relaxed atmosphere where children can express their feelings. Children engage in a basic range of activities. Due to problematic storage arrangements, children are asked to select a limited range of activities or games for the following day. Typically they choose three games, such as twister or pop-up

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

pirates, an art activity and a sports game. The play materials are then provided by the staff member. This system fails to give the children sufficient variety and limits their ability to make meaningful choices about how they spend their time each evening. If children are not interested in the pre-selected resources there are no alternatives, such as books or puzzles available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have a positive attitude and have developed effective relationships with staff and each other. They are encouraged to respect the thoughts and feelings of others within the group. Children attending are recognised as individuals and encouraged to express their own opinions and are able to make some choices about how they spend their time. Staff have a limited awareness of some areas of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. As a result, children are not encouraged to learn about or appreciate the wider community, for example the lifestyles and cultures of others. Access to resources which reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability is incidental. Children benefit from having consistent boundaries and are learning to treat others with care and concern. Through routine discussions, they know what is expected of them and behave accordingly. Staff are aware of positive age-appropriate behaviour

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Helping children make a positive contribution

management strategies. They give children clear explanations and explore reasons why a child is disruptive, to prevent unwanted incidents recurring. Praise and recognition is routinely given and details of children's achievements and good behaviour are shared with parents at the end of the session.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Staff promote relaxed and informal relationships with parents, which encourage them to share information routinely as they collect their child. As a result, staff are well informed about and able to meet children's individual needs. For example, providing additional emotional support or comfort for a child who may be experiencing difficulties at home. Parents have access to the setting's policies and procedures for example, complaints, discipline and the exclusion of children who are unwell. Staff value the views and opinions of parents and encourage them to complete a parents evaluation sheet.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The areas used to provide after school care and holiday care are spacious, and children are able to more around freely. Routine planning and preparation, made necessary by the lack of storage facilities, means children are consulted about the activities that they would like to complete the following day. Children's patterns of attendance are monitored and systems are in place to ensure that sufficient staff-child ratios are maintained at all times. However, due to the low number of children in attendance there is not always a minimum of two out of school staff on duty, which may compromise the children's safety. Contingency arrangements are in place for school staff to provide assistance if required. All required documentation is maintained and a range of policies and procedures have been developed, although in some instances relating to equal opportunities; they are not effectively implemented

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Organisation

due to a lack of staff knowledge. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve the facilities for children who wish to relax or play quietly • improve staff's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures • extend the range of activities and play opportunities provided to ensure that children are interested in what is available and have as much choice as possible • improve staff's knowledge of equal opportunities so that they can actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children • ensure that at least one member of staff with a current first aid certificate, which includes training in first aid for infants and young children is on the premises at any one time. • ensure a minimum of two adults are on duty at all times.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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